A Living Landscape
This Zelkova forest is not just a bonsai.
It is a moment in time.
A quiet woodland.
A pause between seasons.
A living sculpture that changes every single day.
Composed of dozens of Zelkova trees planted in a naturalistic copse style, this piece currently evokes the feeling of walking through a young deciduous grove in early winter, its branches bare, structure revealed, energy held just beneath the bark, waiting for spring.
Each trunk has been individually developed, yet together they create something far greater: a miniature ecosystem that feels deep, calm, and endlessly rewarding to study.
Why Zelkova Are So Special
Zelkova, a member of the Elm family (Ulmaceae), is one of the most beloved species in bonsai—and for good reason. They are:
- Exceptionally responsive to pruning
- Known for strong back-budding
- Highly tolerant of root work
- Fast to recover and refine
This means this forest is not just beautiful today; it's a powerful platform for future refinement. You can shape, thin, and evolve this landscape for decades.
Through the seasons it offers a full, cinematic arc:
- Spring & Summer: fresh, vibrant green foliage fills the canopy
- Autumn: warm yellows, oranges, and reds light up the grove
- Winter: the true art is revealed in the branching, taper, and negative space
Right now, in its leafless winter state, you can see the bones of the forest—the careful spacing, the natural movement, and the depth that only a well-built deciduous forest can offer.
A Forest With Presence
Look closely and you’ll notice:
- Trunks of different thicknesses that mimic natural age and hierarchy
- Gentle curves that suggest years of wind, competition, and survival
- Openings that draw your eye inward, creating the illusion of distance
- Moss and ground texture that anchor the trees into a believable landscape
This is not a flat planting. It has foreground, mid-ground, and depth, just like a real forest.
The rock feature at the center adds weight and story, grounding the composition and giving the eye a place to rest, as if you’ve stumbled upon an old boulder deep in the woods.
For the Collector Who Wants to Grow With Their Tree
At $4,500 retail, this forest represents years of development already done for you—trunk thickening, root establishment, spacing, and primary structure—so you get to enjoy the most rewarding stage: refinement and seasonal beauty.
This is a bonsai composition you don’t outgrow. It grows with you.
A living artwork that becomes more beautiful every year you care for it.
How bidding works
- Starts at 10% of retail value
- Bids increase by $100
- Highest bid wins when the timer ends
Popcorn bidding
If a bid is placed with 5 minutes or less remaining, the timer resets to 5 minutes. This prevents last-second sniping and keeps bidding fair.
Automatic (proxy) bids
Enter your maximum bid and the system will automatically bid for you up to that amount.
When the auction ends
When the timer reaches zero with no new bids, the highest bidder wins and receives checkout instructions.
Shipping
Local PU encouraged in San Francisco, CA. Shipping within the contiguous continental US available. The checkout software will charge you a minimal shipping fee, Bonsaify will box and ship the tree via common carrier (UPS, USPS, FedEx) at your request. Shipping estimate west coast: $100, east coast: $200. We will contact the winner to make final arrangements.
No reserve. No buy-now.
